Cutaneous paraneoplastic phenomena

Question 1

Define cutaneous paraneoplastic phenomena.

Answer 1

Cutaneous paraneoplastic syndromes are specific constellations of mucous membrane and/or skin abnormalities that are caused by an underlying tumor.

Question 2

What is the aetiology of cutaneous paraneoplastic phenomena?

Answer 2

Diverse cutaneous paraneoplastic syndromes may be associated with underlying tumors.

Question 3

What are risk factors for cutaneous paraneoplastic phenomena?

Answer 3

Age

Previous cancer diagnosis

Family history of certain cancers.

The types of cancer most likely to cause paraneoplastic syndromes are:

Breast

Gastric

Question 4

Summarise the epidemiology of cutaneous paraneoplastic phenomena.

Answer 4

Up to 8% of cancer patients.

Question 5

What are the signs and symptoms of cutaneous paraneoplastic phenomena?

Answer 5

Musculoskeletal disorders: Clubbing, hypertrophic osteoarthropathy, dermatomyositis, and multicentric reticulohistiocytosis

Reactive erythemas: Erythema gyratum repens and necrolytic migratory erythema

Vascular dermatoses: Trousseau’s syndrome

Papulosquamous disorders: Acanthosis nigricans, tripe palms, palmar hyperkeratosis, acquired ichthyosis, pityriasis rotunda, Bazex’s syndrome, florid cutaneous papillomatosis, the sign of Leser-Trélat

Extramammary: Paget’s disease

Disorders of hair growth: Hypertrichosis lanuginosa acquisita

Question 6

What investigations should be performed for cutaneous paraneoplastic phenomena?

Answer 6

Screen for cancer

FBC, Tumour markers, full cancer history

Question 7

What is the management for cutaneous paraneoplastic phenomena?

Answer 7

Treat underlying cancer